Michigan edges Tennessee, 73-71, after late rally falls short

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jordan Morgan scored 15 points and Nik Stauskas added 14, including a key free throw, to help Michigan hold on for a 73-71 victory over Tennessee in an NCAA tournament Midwest Regional semifinal on Friday night.

The second-seeded Wolverines now play 2012 national champion Kentucky, which defeated Louisville in the other semifinal, on Sunday.

The Wolverines (28-8) led by 15 points with 10:55 to go but committed four turnovers in the final 97 seconds. Tennessee (24-13) cut its deficit to 72-71 and had a chance to take the lead, but Jarnell Stokes was called for an offensive foul with six seconds left.

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Stauskas then made one of two free throws and Tennessee’s long desperation heave was off the mark.

Jordan McRae scored 24 to lead the 11th-seeded Vols.

For most of the first 36 minutes, Michigan was in firm control.

Then came a stunning turnaround by Tennessee, a bubble team that had to win a first-round game just to get into the round of 64.

When Stauskas, the Big Ten player of the year, knocked down a three-pointer with 3:37 to go, the Wolverines led 70-60 and looked like they would cruise to the win.

Instead, Tennessee gave up just one more basket and steadily took advantage of Michigan’s miscues. When McRae completed a three-point play with 1:56 left, the Vols trailed 72-67. Richardson’s layup made it 72-69 with 24.6 seconds left and when the Wolverines threw away the ball on the next possession, McRae’s layup cut Michigan’s lead to 72-71.

Another turnover on an inbounds play gave Stokes the chance to put Tennessee ahead.

But Stokes, who contended he did not commit the foul, was called for the charge and the Vols’ comeback was over.

Michigan should be getting used to these sorts of finishes in Indianapolis.

Two weeks ago when they were in Indy for the Big Ten tourney, the Wolverines had to hang on twice after seemingly having comfortable leads against Illinois and Ohio State. Eventually, they wound up losing to Michigan State in the title game.

Their inability to put a team away nearly did them in Friday.

It sure didn’t look like it would come down to the final shot when Michigan shot 61.5% from the field in the first half and led by as much as 13. Or even in the second half when they led by as much as 15.

But Tennessee buckled down defensively and rallied to cut the lead to six with 6:41 to play before the closing rally.